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Houston Hammockers

I'm new to this forum and have met (electronically) and been helped by some of you already (thank you!). I'm starting my AT thru hike on March 15th and have decided on hammock as my sleep system thanks to Red Hat, who donated her HH Ultralight Backpacker Asym to me (wonderful pre-trail magic). I've since purchased a 3S Phoenix underquilt and OES Deluxe tarp.

Now I need practice setting up my hammock and tarp! Yes, I have no prior hammocking experience I was wondering if there are any Houstonians here on HF who would be willing to meet in person for some Hammock 101.

You have a good hammock and the pad + quilt/sleeping bag combination should serve you well. For ease in set up and take down, there are some pretty easy mods on suspension you might consider, (either webbing or whoppie slings).

Both Randy and Captn are great guys and closer than I am to you and should be able to steer you well. If you can't make connections with them, feel free to PM me and if I can help I will.

FWIW, if you are on the west side of town and available to set up gear during the week, I am heading to Corpus Wednesday and back to College Station on Thursday and could stop somewhere west of Houston for a bit either way.

I am not much into gram counting unless it comes with crackers. Usually the guage I go by is how much I would sweat and how many trips from the gear trailer to the camp site...or if the water stain on my canoe is below the water line or not.
thats a Pound Hawg joke.

I'm in a twelve step program for gram wheenies ..... Occasionally I relapse.

Several things to consider ... You'll be near resupply every 3 to 5 days .....25 liters is a Lot of food ..... And extra food is extra weight. NO can goods, or foods with liquids ..... But I'm sure you figured that one out.

I eat about 2 lbs of food per day .... And that is about a 800 to 1000 cu in for 4 to 5 days.

Camp sandals are a luxury .... Many ship them home after blood mountain.

Every ounce is an ounce you are going to carry over 2100 miles .....

Think of your clothing as part of your sleep system .... If it really gets cold can you wear everything you have other than extra undies? Extra should be in your bounce box.

About the 25L bag...I realized after I ordered it that it is too large. I'd rather just keep it than return and pay shipping! Definitely won't be packing it full. The extra room should be good for bear bagging my stove system and other smelly things. Thanks for looking out for my pack weight, Captn! I completely understand that if I want to increase my odds of successfully completing a thru, I should take my pack weight seriously. But no extra undies?

Uncle MJM, I should be free during the week. I live in the galleria area of Houston..